Isolators - Gate Drivers

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
SI8261ACD-C-ISR Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 5KV 1CH GATE DRVR 6SDIP	0
SI8273BB-IS1 Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DRVR 16SOIC	56
SI8275DBD-IM1 Silicon Labs	4A 2.5 KV HIGH CMTI DUAL GATE DR	480
SI8261BBC-C-IPR Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 3.75KV GATE DRVR 8DIPGW	1064
SI8235BA-D-IS1R Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 5KV 2CH GATE DVR 16SOIC	0
SI8232AD-D-ISR Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 5KV 2CH GATE DVR 16SOIC	0
SI8286BC-IS Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 3.75KV 1CH GATE DRVR	0
SI8271BB-IS Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DRIVER 8SOIC	608
SI8235AD-D-IS3 Silicon Labs	DUAL ISOLATED GATE DRIVER, 8 MM	50
SI8275DBD-IS1R Silicon Labs	4A 2.5 KV HIGH CMTI DUAL GATE DR	0
SI8235AD-D-IS3R Silicon Labs	DUAL ISOLATED GATE DRIVER, 8 MM	0
SI8275AB-IMR Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DRVR 14LGA	0
SI8233BB-D-IS Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DRVR 16SOIC	0
SI8281CC-ISR Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 3.75KV 1CH GATE DRVR	593
SI8230AD-D-ISR Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 5KV 2CH GATE DVR 16SOIC	0
SI8261BCD-C-IS Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 5KV 1CH GATE DRVR 6SDIP	1739
SI82391BB-IS1 Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DVR 16SOIC	80
SI823H9AC-IS Silicon Labs	3.75KV SINGLE GATE DRIVER 8-SSO8	0
SI82391CB-IS1R Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DVR 16SOIC	0
SI8273GBD-IS1 Silicon Labs	DGTL ISO 2.5KV GATE DRVR 16SOIC	376

Isolators - Gate Drivers

1. Overview

Isolators and Gate Drivers are critical components in power electronics systems. Isolators provide electrical separation between control circuits (low voltage) and power circuits (high voltage), ensuring safety and noise immunity. Gate Drivers amplify control signals to efficiently switch power semiconductors (e.g., MOSFETs, IGBTs) while maintaining isolation. These components are essential in applications like electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and industrial automation, where reliability and efficiency are paramount.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Optocoupler Isolators	Use LED and photodetector for isolation; low cost, moderate speed	Consumer electronics, basic motor controls
Inductive/Capacitive Isolators	High-speed signal transfer via magnetic or capacitive coupling; robust noise immunity	Industrial inverters, high-frequency power supplies
Gate Drivers with Isolation	Integrated isolation and high-current drive capability; support SiC/GaN devices	Electric vehicle chargers, photovoltaic inverters

3. Structure and Composition

A typical isolator-gate driver combines three layers: (1) Input stage (CMOS/TTL interface), (2) Isolation barrier (SiO , polymer, or air-core transformer), and (3) Output stage (push-pull driver with high/low-side transistors). Advanced packaging uses reinforced insulation materials (e.g., polyimide) to meet safety standards like UL 60950-1. Gate drivers often integrate desaturation protection and under-voltage lockout (UVLO) circuits.

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Typical Range	Importance
Isolation Voltage	2.5 kV 5 kV RMS	Determines safety margin and system reliability
Propagation Delay	5 ns 100 ns	Impacts switching efficiency and EMI performance
Peak Output Current	0.5 A 10 A	Dictates switching speed of power devices
Working Temperature	-40 C 150 C	Ensures stability in harsh environments

5. Application Fields

Major industries include:

Industrial Automation: Variable frequency drives (VFDs), PLC systems
Renewable Energy: Solar inverters, wind turbine converters
Transportation: EV on-board chargers, battery management systems
Consumer Electronics: Smart home appliances with motor controls

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Representative Product	Key Features
TI (Texas Instruments)	ISO7241	Dual-channel capacitive isolation, 100 Mbps data rate
Infineon Technologies	1EDN75120	Galvanic isolation for SiC/GaN, 20 V gate drive
Analog Devices	ADuM4135	3.75 kV isolation, integrated desat protection

7. Selection Guidelines

Key considerations:

Match isolation rating to system voltage (e.g., 5 kV for 1500 V PV systems)
Select drive current 1.5 MOSFET gate charge requirement
Ensure CMTI (Common Mode Transient Immunity) >50 kV/ s for high-noise environments
Verify certifications (e.g., VDE 0884-11 for reinforced isolation)
Prioritize devices with integrated protection features

8. Industry Trends

Future developments include:

Integration of gate drivers with GaN/SiC devices in chip-scale packages
Adoption of wireless gate driving using magnetic resonance coupling
Embedded diagnostics for predictive maintenance in industrial systems
Reduction of propagation delay below 10 ns for >1 MHz switching applications
Standardization of bidirectional energy transfer protocols for EV charging